Guide on the Matter

Camunda, a leading workflow and decision automation platform, has introduced element and connector templates to simplify the creation and management of workflows across the enterprise. These templates were published in 2020 and can be found on the official Camunda documentation website and GitHub repository.

Element templates offer a way to extend the modeler with domain-specific diagram elements, such as user and service tasks. They can be created by modeling an element and saving it as a new template, or from scratch. By minimizing learning curves for citizen developers and others, element templates accelerate time to value by reducing the need for re-entering information across tasks.

Creating an element template from scratch involves defining the JSON code for the element. An existing element can also be saved as a template by selecting the task, choosing the "Save As" in the properties area, and entering the necessary information. Element templates can be edited and an icon can be added for easy identification.

On the other hand, connector templates are used for custom connectors and streamline implementation and consistency. A connector template can be created from scratch or imported from an existing API definition like a Postman collection. The result expression in the connector template code should be modified to bring back variables for use in the process model.

By leveraging Camunda's custom element templates and connector templates, organizations can build a reusable connector library, streamlining integration with both internal systems and external services. This standardization of functionality can help manage maintenance issues and enforced governance can be achieved with version-controlled templates, pushing policy into each process orchestration.

Element and connector templates can streamline workflows across the enterprise by providing a unifying mechanism for translation of scattered integration logic into a single, self-service language inside BPMN. For instance, the values from the Random Joke Connector in the response expression should be tied to the proper fields on the form. The form data entered into the JSON for the element template includes the Form ID value of "form_JOTD" and version tag of "1.0.0".

A new form can be created within the Web Modeler using "Create new->Form". The form will have fields for the joke, punchline, rating, and title. The form that will display the joke should be referenced by ID and the fields that will be used on the form to display the joke in the JSON code.

Element templates enable teams to define elements once and use them anywhere, ensuring repeatability and reliability. They can be published to a particular project or the entire organization for easy access, allowing teams to focus on process orchestration rather than configuration details. This helps organizations build processes faster with confidence.

In addition, element and connector templates can prevent errors, enforce standards, reduce complexity, and enforce enterprise-wide best practices. Centralized libraries of templates can be published to a particular project or the entire organization, making it easier for teams to reuse and share templates across the organization.

Camunda offers tools to create custom connector and element templates, providing organizations with the flexibility to tailor their workflows to their unique needs. With Camunda's element and connector templates, organizations can streamline their workflows, improve efficiency, and ensure consistency across their processes.